Children's Home run by Care Afloat Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC006011 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Michelle Bacon Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/02/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children aged from eight to 17 years. A private company owns and operates the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be satisfactory .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive a level of care which is satisfactory with some good features. They live in a supportive environment that provides clear routines and boundaries. Young people have achieved placement stability. One social worker commented 'this has been the best place for this young person'. Care planning is individualised and young people enjoy some positive outcomes, particularly in relation to their education and activities.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff. However at the time of this inspection the home is experiencing some difficulties, although this is not a common occurrence. Sanctions and restraints are used for appropriate reasons, but records show young people's views and comments are not consistently sought.

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Overall effectiveness

Monitoring systems do not demonstrate an evaluation of practice or outline appropriate action taken to improve the quality of care. There are a number of breaches in regulations and these are having a direct impact on young people. The home promptly refers any allegations to those agencies concerned with child protection, but they have not given consideration to the measures which may be necessary to protect young people in the home. Records show young people have raised issues of bullying and these have not been thoroughly addressed. Equally young people's complaints are dealt with as grumbles.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure consideration is given to the measures which maybe necessary to protect children in the children's home following an allegation of abuse or neglect(Regulation 16(2)(e)) 31/10/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Statement of Purpose provides details of the matters listed in Schedule 1, in particular the number, relevant 31/10/2011 qualifications and experience of persons working in the home(Regulation 4(1))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of the investigation.(Regulation 24(5)) 31/10/2011

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure young people understand the purpose and content of their plan and the reasoning behind any decisions about their care(NMS 25.1)  ensure where any sanction, disciplinary measure or restraint are used, young people are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home(NMS 3.18)  ensure staff are provided with regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff(NMS 19.4)  ensure the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirming the continuation of the home's current operation and resource(NMS 15.2)  ensure the children's guide details how a young person can contact their Independent reviewing officer(IRO) and the Children's Rights Director, if they wish to raise a concern about their care(NMS 13.5)  ensure young people's wishes and feelings are sought and taken into account in

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Recommendations

their health care(NMS 6.6)  ensure staff actively search for young people who are missing and record the actions taken(NMS 5.5)  ensure when a young person is absent from the home and their whereabouts is not known, the home's procedures are compatible with and have regard to Runaway and Missing from Home and Care(RMFHC)protocols and procedures maintained and managed by the police or by the local authority for the area where the home is located(NMS 5.6)  ensure staff in the home are trained to recognise and deal with any indications or incidents of bullying, to act proactively and intervene positively(NMS 3.12)  ensure the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concern, patterns or trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring(NMS 21.2)  ensure young people's views and wishes are taken into account in all aspects of

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Recommendations

the running of the home(NMS 1.1)  ensure there is a written record of all medication, in particular records are clear if a young person has taken or refused their medication. (NMS 6.15)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are satisfactory .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy good health. They attend routine appointments with dentists, doctors and opticians. They are cared for if they feel unwell and any health issues receive prompt attention. Young people engage in activities that keep them fit and healthy, such as regularly attending the gym. However their health care plans do not demonstrate how young people's health is promoted in relation to sexual health, smoking and drinking.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Key worker sessions give young people the opportunity to discuss issues that impact on their daily lives. However these do not take place on a regular basis, so it is not clear how young people are being supported to build emotional resilience.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people attend school and have made good progress from the starting point of placement. Certificates and school reports acknowledge the significant developments young people have made. Young people have aspirations for the future.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's sense of identity and belonging is reinforced through good contact arrangements with their families. Individual contact arrangements are clearly recorded in young people's placement plans. Young people socialise within the local community and friends are welcome to the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are being well-prepared for independence. They are given the opportunity to develop their life skills. For example, they are encouraged to help prepare meals, go shopping and keep the home clean and tidy.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is satisfactory .

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from knowing how to exercise their rights to complain and they have made use of the complaints process. However records show where young people have made minor complaints these are recorded as grumbles and not formally responded to. Young people have access to an independent advocate. The young people's guide does not have the details of how young people can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer or the Children's Rights Director should they wish to raise any concerns about their care.

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Quality of care

The views and opinions of young people are sought on some aspects of the home such as menu planning and décor, but their views and wishes do not significantly influence the running of the home. Young people's needs are identified in their placement plans including their religious and cultural needs however; they have not signed their plans. This means it is not clear if young people have contributed to or have an understanding of the purpose or content of their plan.

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Quality of care

Staff are proactive in promoting educational achievements and use rewards to encourage attendance at school. Young people are supported to achieve qualifications including GCSE's. Young people are able to explore their future career choices through work placements. Outcomes for young people regarding their education are good. Staff assist young people to pursue hobbies and interests outside of the home. This enables young people to build their self confidence and self esteem.

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Quality of care

The arrangements for dealing with medication are not robustly applied. Records fail to provide a concise account of medication taken. For example they state young people have refused their medication when they have taken it. Furthermore, there is no evidence to show what action has been taken when young people have not completed a course of medication in accordance with their doctor's instructions.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a home that provides a suitable standard of accommodation. It is well located with access to public transport, health, shopping and leisure facilities. Young people can personalise their bedrooms to reflect their own taste and individuality.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is satisfactory at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people have reported incidents of bullying in the home and at school. Nevertheless records do not demonstrate how staff have proactively supported those who have been bullied to ensure they feel safe and secure. Young people can identify an adult that they can speak to if they have any concerns or worries. Staff are aware of their responsibilities to safeguard children and refer any allegations or suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities. However, they have not given careful consideration to the measures which may be necessary to protect young people in the home and minimise any potential harm in light of a recent child protection concern.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Positive behaviour is promoted with the use of rewards. Restraint is only used as a last resort and staff are suitably trained. Records make it clear why physical intervention was used. Where negative behaviour occurs sanctions are used. However staff use the same sanction over and over again despite having no impact on the behaviour they are trying to deter. Where disciplinary measures are used young people's views and comments are not consistently recorded. Monitoring does not fully evaluate the use of sanctions and their effectiveness.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people going missing is problematic. Record keeping is good and clearly records the circumstances of young people's return, however they do not detail what measures staff have taken to actively search for young people who are missing to ensure their safe return. The home does not have a copy of the statutory guidance about children who run away and go missing from home or care or the local police protocol for reference purposes.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a home that is free from any hazards to health and safety. Regular health and safety checks ensure the home is physically safe and secure.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are satisfactory .

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Leadership and management

Young people are cared for in line with the Statement of Purpose. However the Statement of Purpose does not comply with the regulations as it does not accurately reflect to the numbers of staff employed in the home or detail their relevant qualifications and experience. Staffing levels are good with staff receiving adequate supervision. Staff say they receive suitable training that enables them to meet the needs of the young people. Although training in safeguarding has been undertaken staff records do not reflect this. The recommendations from the last inspection have been met. Staff receive foundation training as part of their induction programme and 80% of staff have a relevant child care qualification. The home demonstrates a capacity for continued improvement.

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Leadership and management

The manager's regulation 34 monitoring does not evaluate performance and practice, so the quality of the service can be assessed and improvements made. There is no clear evaluation of behaviour management or the impact on the welfare of young people. Significant events are notified to the appropriate authorities however, the manager has not completed satisfactory checks in relation to a recent child protection concern. This means the safety and protection of young people is not robustly safeguarded.

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Leadership and management

The manager has an understanding of the home’s strengths, but any areas of development are not recorded or formalised in a plan. Therefore any progress made cannot be measured.

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Leadership and management

Young people's files are satisfactorily maintained and contribute to their understanding of their life and experiences at the home. All records are stored securely.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is satisfactory .

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